Atheist billboard defaced with devil's horns

'It reveals how nonbelievers are still stigmatized, even in a community like Portland'

Published: 11/24/2012 at 11:31 PM

(The Oregonian) A billboard meant to “introduce Portlanders to friendly neighborhood atheists” has been defaced with devil’s horns.

The billboard, on Highway 99 at the Ross Island Bridge, is one of 15 placed in the Portland area before the 35th annual national convention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation in October.

Mark Hecate, Information Technology Director for nonprofit New Avenues for Youth, was one of the scores of Portland-area group members — from a filmmaker to an income auditor — who volunteered to be part of the public relations campaign.

His face appears on the 14×18 foot billboard along with the words “This is what an atheist looks like” and now with a set of horns growing from his head.